Don't like drinking water with your nose pointed at the sky while steering with one hand? Set up a hydration system with a retracting hose like the one shown in the pictures which are attached to this post. The system consists of the following:

1. A Camelbak (TM) water bottle which has a bite-and-sip nozzle and a straw built into its lid. Be sure the bottle will fit into your water bottle holders.

2. A Camelbak hands-free adapter which allows you to replace the bite-and-sip nozzle on your water bottle with a hose with a bite-and-sip nozzle. Cost, about $10.

3. A Camelbak "Big Bite" valve cover, which will keep the bite-and-sip nozzle clean. Cost, about $6.

4. A "Gear Keeper" cable retractor, which you can order from www.gearkeeper.com. These come in a variety of strengths, some much stronger than the lightweight cable retractors which you typically find at fly fishing stores. It has a nice little detachable buckle at the end of the cable, so you can detach the bottle and hose from your bike easily.

Attach the cable retractor to a convenient spot on your seat, preferably high enough so it won't get dirty from spray from your tires when the road is wet. I attached my retractor to the bottom of my headrest. Attach the buckle at the end of the cable to the end of the hose with a cable tie.

And you're ready to roll. When you want a drink, grab the end of the hose, pull it up to your mouth, grab the valve cover in your teeth and pull it open, stick the bite-and sip nozzle into your mouth, put your hand back on your handle bars, and start sucking up water. You never need to take your eyes off the road. When you've drunk all the water you want, grab the end of the hose, push the valve cover shut against your chest, and let go of the hose. It'll retract back to the cable retractor, and you're done until you get thirsty again.

ppmpete